William phillips



- (No Model.)

W. PHILLIPS.

CAN OPENER. No. 361,643. Patented Apr. 19, 1887.

Fig.1.-

WITNESISES: INVENTOR: 22: M. I I I ATTORN EY.

N4 PEYERS. PholtrLilhogr-Iplmr. Washington. D. Cv

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM PHILLIPS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'IO WILLIAM H. EWVER, OF SAME PLACE.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 361,643, dated April 19, 1887..

Application filed January 13, 1887. Serial No. 224,185. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pen 11- sylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gan-Openers, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings,in which Figures 1 and 2 represent side elevations of a can-opener embodying my invention, Fig. 1 being partly sectional. Fig. 3 represents an end view thereof. Fig. 4 represents a section in line 00 m, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention consists of a can-opener which is adjustable as to different sizes of cans to be opened.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a stock or handle,and B represents a sliding stem which is fitted within the handle ina longitudinally-extending opening, A, therein, and passed through one end of the handle, the front end of the stem having a point, C, for piercing the can, and the opposite end having a stop, D, for preventing displacement of the stem from the handle. The end of the handle adjacent to the point 0 of the stem has a recess, E, in which is located a rotary blade or cutter, F, the same being fitted on the stem B and held in position by the same. Encircling the stem is a coiled spring, G, whose ends bear respectively against one end of the handle and the stop D.

In order to prevent rotation of the stennthe stop D is formed of a key or pin having a fiat head, D, which bears against the inner wall of the opening A, as seen in Fig. 4, whereby the stem is permitted to slide, but prevented from rotating. 7

It will be seen that when the point C pierces the cover, the lid, cap, 820., of the can the handle is drawn back, whereby the cutter is located at the proper distance from the edge of the cover, &c. against the can and run around, as usual in can-openers, whereby the cutter is forced into the metal and cuts the same, it being noticed that the cutter may be located at various distances from the point of the handle by drawing back the handle, so that the device may be employed for opening cans of different sizes or for cutting the metal in different diameters.

\Vhen the device is carried around the can, it is permitted to roll thereon, owing to the convex under surface, A of the handle.

\Vhen the opener isremoved from the can, the stem returns to its normal position, owing to the action of the spring G.

I do not limit myself to a rotary cutter, as any other form of cutter or blade may be con nected with the stem or attached to the handle, its adjust-ability being preserved in all cases.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A can-opener having a cutter, a handle, anvadj ustable stem fitted to said handle, and a spring connected with said stem, adapted to restore it to its normal position, said parts be ing combined and operating substantially as described.

2. A canopener having the handle A, the sliding stem 13, with astop, D, having flat head D, a spring bearing against stop D,and handle A, all substantially as described.

3. A can-opener having the handle A, with convex under surface, A", and recess E, the sliding stem B, with stop D, and the cutter F, fitted on the stem and located in recess E, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

WVILLIAM PHILLIPS.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsHEIM, A. P. GRANT.

The handle is now forced 5 

